FootballNL eyeing Burin Peninsula for expansion

St. Lawrence native Jason Pike and fellow Burin Peninsula native Brian Hillier of Grand Bank are looking to expand on the football program started by FootballNL.

Currently there are three teams playing in the Avalon Football league, with interest in the program developing in other communities.

“We’re currently in the process of expanding to Clarenville,” explained Pike. “We have 35 plus kids now that we’re going to be going out and running a camp with.” They’re also in the Bay Bulls area running a camp.

Pike said since joining FootballNL as development director he has been interested in bringing the program to the Burin Peninsula.

The program ranges from under 12 up to under 18 division. Pike said they hope to have an open practice on the Burin Peninsula sometime this fall.

“Right now, we’re looking to comprise at least one (Burin Peninsula) team, so we’re hoping to get enough interest,” he said, “and I have no doubt that we can put together at least one program.”

He said the goal is that once interest in the program is developed that it would grow.

“If Marystown wanted to have their own team, then say St. Lawrence,” Pike noted. “We do it with soccer and we do it with basketball, so we’re hoping that in the next few years it would be common practice to have that with football as well.”

For more information or to learn how to try out visit www.footballnl.ca or contact Jason Pike at jason.pike@footballnl.ca.